U.S. patent application number 13/352931 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-18 for non-intrusive exhaust gas sensor monitoring.
This patent application is currently assigned to FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Michael Casedy, Hassene Jammoussi, James Michael Kerns, Imad Hassan Makki. Invention is credited to Michael Casedy, Hassene Jammoussi, James Michael Kerns, Imad Hassan Makki.
Application Number | 20130180510 13/352931 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48693363 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130180510 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Makki; Imad Hassan ; et
al. |
July 18, 2013 |
NON-INTRUSIVE EXHAUST GAS SENSOR MONITORING
Abstract
A method of monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an
engine exhaust is provided. The method comprises indicating exhaust
gas sensor degradation based on a difference between a first set of
estimated parameters of a rich operation model and a second set of
estimated parameters of a lean operation model, the estimated
parameters based on commanded lambda and determined lambda values
collected during selected operating conditions. In this way, sensor
degradation may be indicated with data collected in a non-intrusive
manner.
Inventors: |
Makki; Imad Hassan;
(Dearborn Heights, MI) ; Kerns; James Michael;
(Trenton, MI) ; Casedy; Michael; (Ann Arbor,
MI) ; Jammoussi; Hassene; (Houston, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Makki; Imad Hassan
Kerns; James Michael
Casedy; Michael
Jammoussi; Hassene |
Dearborn Heights
Trenton
Ann Arbor
Houston |
MI
MI
MI
TX |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES,
LLC
Dearborn
MI
|
Family ID: |
48693363 |
Appl. No.: |
13/352931 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
123/672 ;
702/182; 73/1.06 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02D 41/1495 20130101;
F02D 2041/1433 20130101; F02D 2041/1431 20130101; F02D 2041/1423
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
123/672 ;
73/1.06; 702/182 |
International
Class: |
F02D 41/04 20060101
F02D041/04; G06F 15/00 20060101 G06F015/00; G01N 33/00 20060101
G01N033/00 |
Claims
1. A method of monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an
engine exhaust, comprising: indicating exhaust gas sensor
degradation based on a difference between a first set of estimated
parameters of a rich operation model and a second set of estimated
parameters of a lean operation model, the estimated parameters
based on commanded lambda and determined lambda values collected
during selected operating conditions.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the rich and lean operation
models comprise first order plus time delay transfer functions
specific to each operation mode.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the estimated parameters include
a system response, time delay, and time constant.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the system response, time delay,
and time constant for each of the rich and lean models are
estimated based on a delay order associated with a least amount of
root mean square error.
5. The method of claim 4, indicating an asymmetric response
degradation behavior if the estimated time constants for the rich
and lean models vary by a threshold amount.
6. The method of claim 4, indicating an asymmetric delay
degradation behavior if the estimated delays for the rich and lean
models vary by a threshold amount.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected operating parameters
include steady state operating conditions.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting a fuel
injection amount and/or timing based on the indicated
degradation.
9. A system for a vehicle, comprising: an engine including a fuel
injection system; an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an exhaust
system of the engine; and a controller including instructions
executable to: indicate exhaust gas sensor degradation based on a
difference between a first set of estimated parameters of a rich
operation model and a second set of estimated parameters of a lean
operation model, the estimated parameters based on commanded lambda
and determined lambda values collected during selected operating
conditions; and adjust an amount and/or timing of fuel injection
based on the indicated sensor degradation.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first and second sets of
estimated parameters each include a system response, time delay,
and time constant.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the instructions are further
executable to indicate an asymmetric response degradation behavior
if a difference between the estimated time constants for the rich
and lean models exceeds a threshold amount.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the instructions are further
executable to indicate an asymmetric delay degradation behavior if
a difference between the estimated time delays for the rich and
lean models exceeds a threshold amount.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein the selected operating
conditions include steady state operating conditions.
14. A method of monitoring an oxygen sensor coupled in an engine
exhaust, comprising: indicating an asymmetric delay sensor
degradation if a first estimated time delay of a rich operation
model and a second estimated time delay of a lean operation model
differ by a first threshold amount; and indicating an asymmetric
response sensor degradation if a first estimated time constant of a
rich operation model and a second estimated time constant of a lean
operation model differ by a second threshold amount.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the estimated time delay and
estimated time constant of each model are selected based on root
mean square (RMS) error associated with each operation model.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the RMS error associated with
each operation model is based on a least squares algorithm of
commanded lambda and determined lambda values collected during
steady state operating conditions.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the lean and rich operation
models are first order plus time delay models.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein if the estimated time delay of
the lean operation model exceeds the estimated time delay of the
rich operation model, indicating a rich to lean delay sensor
degradation behavior, and if the estimated time delay of the rich
operation model exceeds the estimated time delay of the lean
operation model, indicating a lean to rich delay sensor degradation
behavior.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein if the estimated time constant
of the lean operation model exceeds the estimated time constant of
the rich operation model, indicating a rich to lean delay response
degradation behavior, and if the estimated time constant of the
rich operation model exceeds the estimated time constant of the
lean operation model, indicating a lean to rich response sensor
degradation behavior.
20. The method of claim 14, further comprising indicating a
symmetric sensor degradation behavior or no sensor degradation if
the estimated time delays differ by less than the first threshold
amount and the estimated time constants differ by less than the
second threshold amount.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an exhaust gas sensor in a
motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
[0002] An exhaust gas sensor may be positioned in an exhaust system
of a vehicle to detect an air/fuel ratio of exhaust gas exhausted
from an internal combustion engine of the vehicle. The exhaust gas
sensor readings may be used to control operation of the internal
combustion engine to propel the vehicle.
[0003] Degradation of an exhaust gas sensor may cause engine
control degradation that may result in increased emissions and/or
reduced vehicle drivability. Accordingly, accurate determination of
exhaust gas sensor degradation may reduce the likelihood of engine
control based on readings from a degraded exhaust gas senor. In
particular, an exhaust gas sensor may exhibit six discrete types of
degradation behavior. The degradation behavior types may be
categorized as asymmetric type degradation (e.g., rich-to-lean
asymmetric delay, lean-to-rich asymmetric delay, rich-to-lean
asymmetric slow response, lean-to-rich asymmetric slow response)
that affects only lean-to-rich or rich-to-lean exhaust gas sensor
response rates, or symmetric type degradation (e.g., symmetric
delay, symmetric slow response) that affects both lean-to-rich and
rich-to-lean exhaust gas sensor response rates. The delay type
degradation behaviors may be associated with the initial reaction
of the exhaust gas sensor to a change in exhaust gas composition
and the slow response type degradation behaviors may be associated
with a duration after an initial exhaust gas sensor response to
transition from a rich-to-lean or lean-to-rich exhaust gas sensor
output.
[0004] Previous approaches to monitoring exhaust gas sensor
degradation, particularly identifying one or more of the six
degradation behaviors, have relied on intrusive data collection.
That is, an engine may be purposely operated with one or more rich
to lean or lean to rich transitions to monitor exhaust gas sensor
response. However, these excursions may be restricted to particular
operating conditions that do not occur frequently enough to
accurately monitor the sensor, such as during deceleration fuel
shut off conditions. Further, these excursions may increase engine
operation at non-desired air/fuel ratios that result in increased
fuel consumption and/or increased emissions.
[0005] The inventors herein have recognized the above issues and
identified a non-intrusive approach for determining exhaust gas
sensor degradation. In one embodiment, a method of monitoring an
exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust comprises
indicating exhaust gas sensor degradation based on a difference
between a first set of estimated parameters of a rich operation
model and a second set of estimated parameters of a lean operation
model, the estimated parameters based on commanded lambda and
determined lambda values collected during selected operating
conditions.
[0006] In this way, exhaust gas sensor degradation may be indicated
by parameters estimated from two operation models, a rich
combustion model and a lean combustion model. Commanded air-fuel
ratio and the air-fuel ratio indicated by the exhaust gas sensor
may be compared with the assumption that the combustion that
generated the air-fuel ratio was rich (e.g., inputting the
commanded lambda into the rich model) and also compared assuming
that the combustion event was lean (e.g., inputting the commanded
lambda into the lean model). For each model, a set of parameters
may be estimated that best fits the commanded lambda values with
the measured lambda values. The model parameters may include a time
constant, time delay, and static gain of the model. The estimated
parameters from each model may be compared to each other, and
sensor degradation may be indicated based on differences between
the estimated parameters.
[0007] By determining degradation of an exhaust gas sensor using a
non-intrusive approach with data collected during selected
operating conditions, exhaust gas sensor degradation monitoring may
be performed in a simple manner. Further, by using the exhaust gas
sensor output to determine which of the seven degradation behaviors
the sensor exhibits, closed loop feedback control may be improved
by tailoring engine control (e.g., fuel injection amount and/or
timing) responsive to indication of the particular degradation
behavior of the exhaust gas sensor to reduce the impact on vehicle
drivability and/or emissions due to exhaust gas sensor
degradation.
[0008] The above advantages and other advantages, and features of
the present description will be readily apparent from the following
Detailed Description when taken alone or in connection with the
accompanying drawings.
[0009] It should be understood that the summary above is provided
to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are
further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to
identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow
the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter
is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages
noted above or in any part of this disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a
propulsion system of a vehicle including an exhaust gas sensor.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a graph indicating a symmetric response type
degradation behavior of an exhaust gas sensor.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a graph indicating an asymmetric rich-to-lean
response type degradation behavior of an exhaust gas sensor.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a graph indicating an asymmetric lean-to-rich
response type degradation behavior of an exhaust gas sensor.
[0014] FIG. 5 show a graph indicating a symmetric delay type
degradation behavior of an exhaust gas sensor.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows a graph indicating an asymmetric rich-to-lean
delay type degradation behavior of an exhaust gas sensor.
[0016] FIG. 7 shows a graph indicating an asymmetric lean-to-rich
delay type degradation behavior of an exhaust gas senor.
[0017] FIGS. 8A and 8B show a method for monitoring an exhaust gas
sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The following description relates to an approach for
determining degradation of an exhaust gas sensor. More
particularly, the systems and methods described below may be
implemented to determine exhaust gas sensor degradation based on
recognition of any one of six discrete types of behavior associated
with exhaust gas sensor degradation. In one example, model
parameters from a rich combustion model and a lean combustion model
may be compared to determine sensor degradation. The model
parameters may include a time constant, time delay, and static gain
of the model. For each of the lean and rich models, the delay order
that best fits the data may be selected, and the other model
parameters that correspond to the selected delay order may be
estimated. For example, during steady state operating conditions, a
set of commanded lambda values and measured lambda values may
collected and input into the lean and rich models. A least squares
algorithm may be applied to the data for the models. The delay
order (for each rich and lean model) associated with the least root
mean square error may be selected, and the model parameters from
each selected model estimated. By comparing the estimated
parameters from the two selected models, an asymmetric sensor
degradation behavior may be indicated if at least one estimated
parameter (e.g., the time constant or time delay) from either the
lean model or rich model exceeds the corresponding estimated
parameter from the other model by a threshold amount. FIG. 1
illustrates an engine including an exhaust gas sensor and
controller. FIGS. 2-7 show example air-fuel ratios collected with
exhaust gas sensors exhibiting each of the six discrete sensor
degradation behaviors. FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate example control
routines carried out by the controller of FIG. 1 to determine one
of the six degradation behaviors illustrated in FIGS. 2-7.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one cylinder of
multi-cylinder engine 10, which may be included in a propulsion
system of a vehicle in which an exhaust gas sensor 126 may be
utilized to determine an air fuel ratio of exhaust gas produce by
engine 10. The air fuel ratio (along with other operating
parameters) may be used for feedback control of engine 10 in
various modes of operation. Engine 10 may be controlled at least
partially by a control system including controller 12 and by input
from a vehicle operator 132 via an input device 130. In this
example, input device 130 includes an accelerator pedal and a pedal
position sensor 134 for generating a proportional pedal position
signal PP. Combustion chamber (i.e., cylinder) 30 of engine 10 may
include combustion chamber walls 32 with piston 36 positioned
therein. Piston 36 may be coupled to crankshaft 40 so that
reciprocating motion of the piston is translated into rotational
motion of the crankshaft. Crankshaft 40 may be coupled to at least
one drive wheel of a vehicle via an intermediate transmission
system. Further, a starter motor may be coupled to crankshaft 40
via a flywheel to enable a starting operation of engine 10.
[0020] Combustion chamber 30 may receive intake air from intake
manifold 44 via intake passage 42 and may exhaust combustion gases
via exhaust passage 48. Intake manifold 44 and exhaust passage 48
can selectively communicate with combustion chamber 30 via
respective intake valve 52 and exhaust valve 54. In some
embodiments, combustion chamber 30 may include two or more intake
valves and/or two or more exhaust valves.
[0021] In this example, intake valve 52 and exhaust valves 54 may
be controlled by cam actuation via respective cam actuation systems
51 and 53. Cam actuation systems 51 and 53 may each include one or
more cams and may utilize one or more of cam profile switching
(CPS), variable cam timing (VCT), variable valve timing (VVT)
and/or variable valve lift (VVL) systems that may be operated by
controller 12 to vary valve operation. The position of intake valve
52 and exhaust valve 54 may be determined by position sensors 55
and 57, respectively. In alternative embodiments, intake valve 52
and/or exhaust valve 54 may be controlled by electric valve
actuation. For example, cylinder 30 may alternatively include an
intake valve controlled via electric valve actuation and an exhaust
valve controlled via cam actuation including CPS and/or VCT
systems.
[0022] Fuel injector 66 is shown arranged in intake passage 44 in a
configuration that provides what is known as port injection of fuel
into the intake port upstream of combustion chamber 30. Fuel
injector 66 may inject fuel in proportion to the pulse width of
signal FPW received from controller 12 via electronic driver 68.
Fuel may be delivered to fuel injector 66 by a fuel system (not
shown) including a fuel tank, a fuel pump, and a fuel rail. In some
embodiments, combustion chamber 30 may alternatively or
additionally include a fuel injector coupled directly to combustion
chamber 30 for injecting fuel directly therein, in a manner known
as direct injection.
[0023] Ignition system 88 can provide an ignition spark to
combustion chamber 30 via spark plug 92 in response to spark
advance signal SA from controller 12, under select operating modes.
Though spark ignition components are shown, in some embodiments,
combustion chamber 30 or one or more other combustion chambers of
engine 10 may be operated in a compression ignition mode, with or
without an ignition spark.
[0024] Exhaust gas sensor 126 is shown coupled to exhaust passage
48 of exhaust system 50 upstream of emission control device 70.
Sensor 126 may be any suitable sensor for providing an indication
of exhaust gas air/fuel ratio such as a linear oxygen sensor or
UEGO (universal or wide-range exhaust gas oxygen), a two-state
oxygen sensor or EGO, a HEGO (heated EGO), a NOx, HC, or CO sensor.
In some embodiments, exhaust gas sensor 126 may be a first one of a
plurality of exhaust gas sensors positioned in the exhaust system.
For example, additional exhaust gas sensors may be positioned
downstream of emission control device 70.
[0025] Emission control device 70 is shown arranged along exhaust
passage 48 downstream of exhaust gas sensor 126. Device 70 may be a
three way catalyst (TWC), NOx trap, various other emission control
devices, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, emission
control device 70 may be a first one of a plurality of emission
control devices positioned in the exhaust system. In some
embodiments, during operation of engine 10, emission control device
70 may be periodically reset by operating at least one cylinder of
the engine within a particular air/fuel ratio.
[0026] Controller 12 is shown in FIG. 1 as a microcomputer,
including microprocessor unit 102, input/output ports 104, an
electronic storage medium for executable programs and calibration
values shown as read only memory chip 106 in this particular
example, random access memory 108, keep alive memory 110, and a
data bus. Controller 12 may receive various signals from sensors
coupled to engine 10, in addition to those signals previously
discussed, including measurement of inducted mass air flow (MAF)
from mass air flow sensor 120; engine coolant temperature (ECT)
from temperature sensor 112 coupled to cooling sleeve 114; a
profile ignition pickup signal (PIP) from Hall effect sensor 118
(or other type) coupled to crankshaft 40; throttle position (TP)
from a throttle position sensor; and absolute manifold pressure
signal, MAP, from sensor 122. Engine speed signal, RPM, may be
generated by controller 12 from signal PIP. Manifold pressure
signal MAP from a manifold pressure sensor may be used to provide
an indication of vacuum, or pressure, in the intake manifold. Note
that various combinations of the above sensors may be used, such as
a MAF sensor without a MAP sensor, or vice versa. During
stoichiometric operation, the MAP sensor can give an indication of
engine torque. Further, this sensor, along with the detected engine
speed, can provide an estimate of charge (including air) inducted
into the cylinder. In one example, sensor 118, which is also used
as an engine speed sensor, may produce a predetermined number of
equally spaced pulses every revolution of the crankshaft.
[0027] Furthermore, at least some of the above described signals
may used in the exhaust gas sensor degradation determination method
described in further detail below. For example, the inverse of the
engine speed may be used to determine delays associated with the
injection-intake-compression-expansion-exhaust cycle. As another
example, the inverse of the velocity (or the inverse of the MAF
signal) may be used to determine a delay associated with travel of
the exhaust gas from the exhaust valve 54 to exhaust gas sensor
126. The above described examples along with other use of engine
sensor signals may be used to determine the time delay between a
change in the commanded air fuel ratio and the exhaust gas sensor
response rate.
[0028] In some embodiments, exhaust gas sensor degradation
determination may be performed in a dedicated controller 140.
Dedicated controller 140 may include processing resources 142 to
handle signal-processing associated with production, calibration,
and validation of the degradation determination of exhaust gas
sensor 126. In particular, a sample buffer (e.g., generating
approximately 100 samples per second per engine bank) utilized to
record the response rate of the exhaust gas sensor may be too large
for the processing resources of a powertrain control module (PCM)
of the vehicle. Accordingly, dedicated controller 140 may be
operatively coupled with controller 12 to perform the exhaust gas
sensor degradation determination. Note that dedicated controller
140 may receive engine parameter signals from controller 12 and may
send engine control signals and degradation determination
information among other communications to controller 12.
[0029] Note storage medium read-only memory 106 and/or processing
resources 142 can be programmed with computer readable data
representing instructions executable by processor 102 and/or
dedicated controller 140 for performing the methods described below
as well as other variants.
[0030] As discussed above, exhaust gas sensor degradation may be
determined based on any one, or in some examples each, of six
discrete behaviors indicated by delays in the response rate of
air/fuel ratio readings generated by an exhaust gas sensor during
rich-to-lean transitions and/or lean-to-rich transitions. FIGS. 2-7
each show a graph indicating one of the six discrete types of
exhaust gas sensor degradation behaviors. The graphs plot air/fuel
ratio (lambda) versus time (in seconds). In each graph, the dotted
line indicates a commanded lambda signal that may be sent to engine
components (e.g., fuel injectors, cylinder valves, throttle, spark
plug, etc.) to generate an air/fuel ratio that progresses through a
cycle comprising one or more lean-to-rich transitions and one or
more rich-to-lean transitions. In each graph, the dashed line
indicates an expected lambda response time of an exhaust gas
sensor. In each graph, the solid line indicates a degraded lambda
signal that would be produced by a degraded exhaust gas sensor in
response to the commanded lambda signal. In each of the graphs, the
double arrow lines indicate where the given degradation behavior
type differs from the expected lambda signal.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows a graph indicating a first type of degradation
behavior that may be exhibited by a degraded exhaust gas sensor.
This first type of degradation behavior is a symmetric response
type that includes slow exhaust gas sensor response to the
commanded lambda signal for both rich-to-lean and lean-to-rich
modulation. In other words, the degraded lambda signal may start to
transition from rich-to-lean and lean-to-rich at the expected times
but the response rate may be lower than the expected response rate,
which results in reduced lean and rich peak times.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows a graph indicating a second type of degradation
behavior that may be exhibited by a degraded exhaust gas sensor.
The second type of degradation behavior is an asymmetric
rich-to-lean response type that includes slow exhaust gas sensor
response to the commanded lambda signal for a transition from
rich-to-lean air/fuel ratio. This behavior type may start the
transition from rich-to-lean at the expected time but the response
rate may be lower than the expected response rate, which may result
in a reduced lean peak time. This type of behavior may be
considered asymmetric because the response of the exhaust gas
sensor is slow (or lower than expected) during the transition from
rich-to-lean.
[0033] FIG. 4 shows a graph indicating a third type of degradation
behavior that may be exhibited by a degraded exhaust gas sensor.
The third type of behavior is an asymmetric lean-to-rich response
type that includes slow exhaust gas sensor response to the
commanded lambda signal for a transition from lean-to-rich air/fuel
ratio. This behavior type may start the transition from
lean-to-rich at the expected time but the response rate may be
lower than the expected response rate, which may result in a
reduced rich peak time. This type of behavior may be considered
asymmetric because the response of the exhaust gas sensor is only
slow (or lower than expected) during the transition from
lean-to-rich.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows a graph indicating a fourth type of degradation
behavior that may be exhibited by a degraded exhaust gas sensor.
This fourth type of degradation behavior is a symmetric delay type
that includes a delayed response to the commanded lambda signal for
both rich-to-lean and lean-to-rich modulation. In other words, the
degraded lambda signal may start to transition from rich-to-lean
and lean-to-rich at times that are delayed from the expected times,
but the respective transition may occur at the expected response
rate, which results in shifted lean and rich peak times.
[0035] FIG. 6 shows a graph indicating a fifth type of degradation
behavior that may be exhibited by a degraded exhaust gas sensor.
This fifth type of degradation behavior is an asymmetric
rich-to-lean delay type that includes a delayed response to the
commanded lambda signal from the rich-to-lean air/fuel ratio. In
other words, the degraded lambda signal may start to transition
from rich-to-lean at a time that is delayed from the expected time,
but the transition may occur at the expected response rate, which
results in shifted and/or reduced lean peak times. This type of
behavior may be considered asymmetric because the response of the
exhaust gas sensor is only delayed from the expected start time
during a transition from rich-to-lean.
[0036] FIG. 7 shows a graph indicating a sixth type of degradation
behavior that may be exhibited by a degraded exhaust gas sensor.
This sixth type of behavior is an asymmetric lean-to-rich delay
type that includes a delayed response to the commanded lambda
signal from the lean-to-rich air/fuel ratio. In other words, the
degraded lambda signal may start to transition from lean-to-rich at
a time that is delayed from the expected time, but the transition
may occur at the expected response rate, which results in shifted
and/or reduced rich peak times. This type of behavior may be
considered asymmetric because the response of the exhaust gas
sensor is only delayed from the expected start time during a
transition from lean-to-rich.
[0037] It will be appreciated that a degraded exhaust gas sensor
may exhibit a combination of two or more of the above described
degradation behaviors. For example, a degraded exhaust gas sensor
may exhibit an asymmetric rich-to-lean response degradation
behavior (i.e., FIG. 3) as well as an asymmetric rich-to-lean
response degradation behavior (i.e., FIG. 6).
[0038] Turning now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, an example method for
determining an exhaust gas sensor degradation behavior is depicted
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 8A and
8B include a method 800 for monitoring an exhaust gas sensor
coupled in an engine exhaust. Method 800 may be carried out by a
control system of a vehicle, such as controller 12 and/or dedicated
controller 140, to monitor a sensor, such as exhaust gas sensor
126.
[0039] Referring specifically to FIG. 8A, at 802, method 800
includes determining engine operating parameters. Engine operating
parameters may be determined based on feedback from various engine
sensors, and may include engine speed, load, air/fuel ratio,
temperature, etc. Further, engine operating parameters may be
determined over a given duration, e.g., 10 seconds, in order to
determine whether certain engine operating conditions are changing,
or whether the engine is operating under steady-state conditions.
As such, method 800 includes, at 804, determining if the engine is
operating in steady-state conditions based on the determined engine
operating parameters. Steady-state conditions may be determined
based on certain operating parameters changing less than a
threshold amount during the given duration. In one example,
steady-state conditions may be indicated if the engine is operating
at idle, or if engine speed varies by less than 20%, engine load
varies by less than 30%, and/or engine air/fuel ratio varies by
less than 0.15. In some embodiments, steady-state conditions may
also include engine temperature varying by less than a threshold
amount, or engine temperature being above a threshold amount. This
may avoid monitoring the sensor during cold engine operation, when
the sensor may not be heated and thus may not be producing accurate
output.
[0040] If it is determined at 804 that the engine is not operating
in steady-state conditions, method 800 returns to 802 to continue
to determine engine operating parameters. If steady state
conditions are determined, method 800 proceeds to 806 to collect
commanded and determined lambda samples over a given duration, and
store the sample values in a memory of the controller. The
commanded lambda values may be values set by the controller for
desired air/fuel ratio based on engine speed, load, feedback from
upstream and downstream exhaust gas sensors, etc. The determined
lambda values may be the collected output from the monitored
exhaust gas sensor. For example, 100 commanded lambda samples and
corresponding determined lambda samples may be collected over a ten
second duration. Multiple sets of lambda samples may be collected,
with or without intervening engine operation between sets.
[0041] At 808, method 800 comprises inputting the collected samples
into lean and rich operation models. Due to the potential presence
of asymmetric sensor behavior, operation may be split into two
modes (lean and rich), with two separate models specific to each
mode. In one embodiment, the models may include a first order plus
time delay model, represented by the following equation for a lean
operation model:
G l ( z - 1 ) = a l z - 1 1 + b l z - 1 z - d l ##EQU00001##
[0042] And for a rich operation model:
G r ( z - 1 ) = a r z - 1 1 + b r z - 1 z - d r ##EQU00002##
[0043] Wherein, for each of the rich and lean models, the model
parameters a.sub.l and a.sub.r represent the static gain or system
response of the model, b.sub.l and b.sub.r represent the time
constant, and d.sub.l and d.sub.r represent the time delay. These
model parameters can be estimated based on the commanded lambda
values (e.g., input into the models) and determined lambda values
(e.g., the output of the models). To simplify this, the rich and
lean models may be combined into a single equation. First, based on
the first order plus time delay models above, the difference
equations for each operation mode are:
y(k)+b.sub.ly(k-1)=a.sub.lu(k-d.sub.l-1)
y(k)+b.sub.ry(k-1)=a.sub.ru(k-d.sub.r-1)
[0044] As the input (y) and output (u) of the models are the
commanded and determined lambda values, respectively, the input and
output for each model may be represented by:
y.sub.l(k)=.lamda.(k)y(k); u.sub.l(k)=.lamda.(k)u(k)
y.sub.r(k)=(1-.lamda.(k))y(k); u.sub.r(k)=(1-.lamda.(k))u(k)
[0045] These equations can then be combined into a single
equation:
y(k)+b.sub.ly.sub.l(k-1)+b.sub.ry.sub.r(k-1)=a.sub.lu.sub.l(k-d.sub.l-1)-
+a.sub.ru.sub.r(k-d.sub.r-1)
[0046] Next, the model parameters may be estimated. To do this, a
least squares algorithm is applied to the data in order to identify
the coefficients of the model, for a plurality of model orders for
the delay. The maximum possible order for the delay may be
determined at 810 based upon the root mean square (RMS) error
associated with the least squares of each model. For example, the
model order associated with the smallest RMS error may be selected.
The model parameters determined at 812 may then be the estimated
model parameters determined by the least squares algorithm for that
model order.
[0047] At 814, sensor degradation may be determined based on the
model parameters for each of the lean and rich models. To determine
if the sensor is exhibiting degradation, and which type, the
parameters from the models may be compared to each other, and if
any of the parameters between the models deviate, degradation may
be indicated. This determination may be carried out using the
method described below with reference to FIG. 8B.
[0048] FIG. 8B is a flow chart illustrating a method 850 for
determining sensor degradation behavior based on the model
parameters. Method 850 may be carried out by the controller as part
of method 800, for example during the sensor degradation
determination at 814. Method 850 includes, at 826, comparing the
time constants Tc for each of the rich and lean models, and if the
time constants vary by an amount greater than a threshold T1,
indicating degradation. The threshold T1 may be a suitable
threshold that balances sensitivity of the determination with
normal sensor variation, such as 20%. In some embodiments, the
threshold may be fixed, while in other embodiments, the threshold
may vary based on operating conditions such as engine speed when
the lambda samples were collected, the magnitude of the estimated
time constants, etc.
[0049] Thus, if at 826 it is determined that the time constants do
not differ by less than the threshold amount, method 850 proceeds
to 828 to indicate an asymmetric response degradation. If the time
constant estimated from the lean model is higher than the time
constant from the rich model, a rich to lean response behavior is
indicated at 830, and if the rich time constant is higher than the
lean time constant, a lean to rich behavior is indicated at 832.
The time constant indicates how quickly the sensor responds to a
commanded change in lambda, e.g., the amount of time from when the
sensor begins to output a change in the lambda values until the
commanded lambda value is reached. If the sensor exhibits a rich to
lean response degradation, the time constant for the lean model
will be higher than the time constant for the rich model, as it
takes the sensor a longer amount of time to respond to a lean
command than to a rich command.
[0050] If the time constants do vary by less than the threshold
amount, method 850 proceeds to 834 to determine if the time delays
Td of the rich and lean models vary by less than a second threshold
amount, T2. Similar to the first threshold, the second threshold
may be selected in order to balance sensitivity of the detection
with normal sensor variation, and be a set amount such as 20%, or
may change depending on operating conditions. If the time delays do
not vary by less than the second threshold, method 850 proceeds to
836 to indicate an asymmetric delay degradation. The asymmetric
delay may be a rich to lean delay at 838, if the time delay from
the lean model is higher than the time delay from the rich model,
or may be lean to rich delay at 840 if the rich delay is higher
than the lean delay.
[0051] If the time delays do vary by less than the second threshold
at 834, a symmetric sensor condition is indicated. The model
parameters as determined by method 800 may not distinguish
symmetric sensor behavior types from each other. Thus, method 850
proceeds to 842 to determine if a determined sensor time delay is
less than or equal to a nominal time delay. The nominal sensor time
delay is the expected delay in sensor response to a commanded
air/fuel ratio change based on the delay from when the fuel is
injected, combusted, and the exhaust travels from the combustion
chamber to the exhaust sensor. The determined time delay may be
when the sensor actually outputs a signal indicating the changed
air/fuel ratio. If the time delay is not less than or equal to the
nominal time delay, method 850 proceeds to 844 to indicate a
symmetric delay.
[0052] If the time delay is less than or equal to the nominal time
delay, method 850 proceeds to 846 to determine if a determined
sensor time constant is less than or equal to a nominal time
constant. The nominal time constant may be the time constant
indicating how quickly the sensor responds to a commanded change in
lambda, and may be determined off-line based on non-degraded sensor
function. If the determined time constant is greater than the
nominal time constant, it indicates a slow response rate, and thus
at 848, if the time constant is not less than or equal to the
nominal time constant, a symmetric response degradation behavior is
indicated.
[0053] If the time constant is less than or equal to the nominal
time constant, method 800 includes indicating no degradation at
849. No degradation is indicated due to the model parameters
indicating a symmetric behavior of the sensor, and both the sensor
time constant and delay being similar to the nominal time constant
and delay. Upon indicating a sensor degradation behavior, or no
degradation, method 850 exits.
[0054] Thus, method 850 described with respect to FIG. 8B provides
for determining a sensor degradation behavior type based on the
estimated model parameters, and further based on determined sensor
time constant and time delay. Once the sensor behavior has been
determined, additional action may be taken based on the type of
degradation identified. Referring back to FIG. 8A, at 816, method
800 comprises determining if sensor degradation is indicated. If
sensor degradation is not indicated (e.g., no degradation is
indicated by method 850), method 800 proceeds to 818 to maintain
current operating parameters. If sensor degradation is indicated,
method 800 proceeds to 820 to determine the whether the sensor
degradation behavior exceeds a maximum value. As described above,
sensor degradation may be indicated based on the difference between
the estimated model parameters for the rich and lean operation
models. The parameter that indicates degradation (e.g., the time
delay or time constant) may be analyzed to determine the extent of
the degradation. For example, a difference between the time delays
or time constants of the rich and lean models that exceeds a
threshold amount may indicate an asymmetric delay degradation
behavior. If the difference is greater than a sufficient amount,
for example if the difference is 30% or more, the degradation
behavior may exceed the maximum limit. If the degradation behavior
exceeds the maximum value, this may indicate the sensor is damaged
or otherwise non-functional and as such method 800 proceeds to 824
to notify an operator of the vehicle of the sensor degradation, for
example by activating a malfunction indication light. If the
degradation behavior does not exceed the maximum value, it may
indicate that the sensor is still functional. However, to ensure
adequate engine control to maintain engine emissions and fuel
economy at a desired level, one or more engine operating parameters
may be adjusted at 822, if desired. This may include adjusting fuel
injection amount and/or timing, and may include adjusting control
routines that are based on feedback from the degraded sensor to
compensate for the identified degradation.
[0055] Thus, the methods described above with respect to FIGS. 8A
and 8B provide for determining asymmetric sensor degradation based
on a difference between estimated model parameters from a lean
operation model and a rich operation model. The inputs into the
models may be commanded lambda values, while the outputs from the
models may be the exhaust gas sensor output, or the determined
lambda values. A least squares algorithm may be applied to each
input/output data set for each model, and the delay order
associated with the least amount of RMS error selected. Based on
the selected delay order, the model parameters may be
estimated.
[0056] These methods allow for sensor degradation monitoring during
steady state operating conditions, for example during idle
operation or when engine speed varies by less than a threshold
amount, such as 20%. In doing so, the sensor may be monitored
during normal engine operation, avoiding operation under conditions
that may be undesired and lead to increased emissions and/or
reduced fuel economy. However, in some embodiments, the engine may
purposely be operated rich or lean and the sensor monitored during
these operation periods in order to increase the sensitivity of the
detection and/or validate the models.
[0057] It will be appreciated that the configurations and methods
disclosed herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific
embodiments are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because
numerous variations are possible. For example, the above technology
can be applied to V-6, I-4, I-6, V-12, opposed 4, and other engine
types. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all
novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the
various systems and configurations, and other features, functions,
and/or properties disclosed herein.
[0058] The following claims particularly point out certain
combinations and sub-combinations regarded as novel and
non-obvious. These claims may refer to "an" element or "a first"
element or the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood
to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither
requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Other
combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features,
functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through
amendment of the present claims or through presentation of new
claims in this or a related application. Such claims, whether
broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original
claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matter of
the present disclosure.
* * * * *